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H. A w. WOOD -AND 0. NORDFORS. PLATE CLAMPING DEVICE FOR PRINTING PLATE CYLINDERS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6.. 19.12- RENEWED APR. 11,1919.

1,321,268. Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY'A. WISE WOOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND CONRAD NOREFORS, 0F JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WOOD NEWS- PAPER MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF VIR- GINIA.

PLATE-CLAMPING DEVICE FOR PRINTING-PLATE CYLINDERS.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Application filed March 6, 1912, Serial N0. 681,923. Renewed April 11, 1919. Serial No. 289,465.

To all whom z'zimay concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY A. W'isn W001) and CONRAD Nonorons, citizens of the United States, said VVoon residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, and said Nonorons residing at Jersey City Heights, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Plate-Clamping Device for Printing-Plate Cylinders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that type of printing cylinders on which a plurality of plates are mounted, preferably in rows.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide improvements in the plate clamp operating mechanism, whereby the plate clamps at each end of the cylinder will be capable of being simultaneously withdrawn from clamping position'or moved back substantially to clamping position very rapidly and individually adjusted more minutely; to provide a construction in which the plate clamps are locked in adjusted position so as to avoid all danger of the plates becoming loose in operation; to provide means whereby the adjusting means cannot be interfered with by the more rapidly operating plate moving devices, and to provide improvements in the details of the plate clamping and clamp locking mechanism; and also in the construction of the cylinder itself. Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an end view of a printing plate cylinder provided with a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one end of the same on the broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the cylinder taken diametrically at a point between the plate clamping devices;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view similar to the bottom of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic end views showing three diderent positions of the parts.

It has been found in practice that the printing plates mountedon the plate cylinder in, printing presses occasionally become dislodged owing to the clamps working loose. This, is a very serious accident as it usually happens when the press is operating at'full speed and is liable to break the machine. The clamps which have been used heretofore are not capable of being absolutely locked in clamping position and they also have the disadvantage of requiring a comparatively long operation for the purpose of loosening and withdrawing them individually, so that the plates can be removed and replaced and then adjusting them up to proper position. It is for remedying these defects mainly that this invention is designed, and it involves a plate clamping device which is capable of rapid motion to bring aplurality of clamps up substantially to clamping position, leaving them so that the fine adjustments can be secured independently also a positive lockingdevice forthe clamps to hold them in their adjusted positions, an improved form of clamp suitable for operating'in this way, and an improved printing cylinder to avoid the last mentioned difficulty.

Referring to the drawings, a printing plate cylinder shaft 10 is shown having solidly fixed thereon a solid printing plate cylinder 11 comprising a uniform and solid body of metal reaching from the shaft to the circumference and having a comparatively great weight, so that as the cylinder passes the point at which a row of plates move into or out of contact with the impression cylinder the momentum of the cylinder will be sufficient to prevent. any sudden change in the speed of rotation.

The cylinder is shown as provided with the usual clips 12 for holding plates 14: in rows. "At the ends are plate clamps 15 each shown constituting substantially a quarter circle on the end of the cylinder. Each plate clamp has an outer cylindrical portion provided with an inclined edge 16 for gripping the edge of the plate. It is shown also as having an end portion 17 extending over substantially a quarter of the end of the cylinder and a curved inner tongue 18 fitting in a groove in the end of the cylinder. It also has a projecting lip 19 on the inner edge to engage under a ledge 190 on the cylinder to hold the clamp firmly against the printing plate, and especially to keep the bevel 16 in proper position to hold down the beveled edge of the plate.

It will be understood, of course, that although four of these clamps are shown, any other desired number can be employed. Between each pair of them is located a part of a clamp operating means comprising a stud 20 fixed in the end of the cylinder, a gear 21 rotatable on the stud, and a plate 22 fixed with respect to the gear and having a non-circular projection 23 for receiving a wrench or the like for the purpose of rotating the plate and gear. At certain nearly opposite points on the gear it is mutilated, that is, provided with a space 24 without teeth but formed mainly on a circle concen' trio with the pitch circle. a portion cut away at 25 for clearance as will appear hereinafter. This plate 22 is provided with two notches 26 located in position to register with the spaces 24.

Meshing with the teeth of the gear 21 are a pair of gears 27 each having a space 28 in which it is mutilated. consists of a continuous curved surface. which substantially fits th surface 24: of the gear 21. It will be seen, therefore, that when the surfaces 24 and 28 are in contact, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 1,'the gears 27 cannot be turned, and that the gear 21 can be turned in one direction but not. in the other, on account of one of its teeth projecting in the way of the first tooth of the gear 27. On one side however the cut away part 25 provides the necessary clearance to permit rotation in the other direction. I

To each of these gears 27 is fixed a worm 29 which engages the plate clamp 15 to be operated. This worm is of comparatively quick pitch and it will be obvious that the rotation of the gear 21 when the teeth are in mesh with the gears 27 will cause the two plate clamps on opposite sides of the stud 20 to be advanced rapidly toward or from clamping position.

The parts are so designed that the surfaces 2 1 and 28 register before the clamp comes fully into position to grip a plate and the actual gripping action is designed to be performed by the following mechanism.

concentrically mounted with respect to each of the worms 29 and gears 27 but rotatable independently thereof, is a screw 30 This space has entering a nut 31 fixed in the cylinder. This screw is provided on its outer end with a non-circular portion by which it is rotated. It also has fiXed thereon a plate 33 which is of a general circular form but has a notch 34 adapted to fit the circumference of the plate 22 when in the position shown in Fig. 5. The screw is provided with a fixed collar 35 at the end of the worm 29. Thus the worm and its gear 27 are rotatable on the screw 30 between this collar and the plate The screw 30 is connected with the plate clamp by a screw pin 36 entering a. circumferential slot 37 which communicates with a longitudinal slot 38 in the screw. lVhen the part are in the position shown in Fig. 7 the pin is in the circumferential slot and consequently the rotation of the screw will advance the plate clamp.

The operation of clamping a plate is as follows: Starting with the clamps withdrawn and the circular plates in the position shown in Fig. 5, it will be obvious that the plates 33 and screws 30 cannot be rotated. The rotation of the gear 21 in one direction causes both worms 29 to turn and the clamps to be moved up toward clamping position. But when the gear 21 moves to a position shown in Fig. 1 its rotation in that direction is stopped by the tooth at the end f the space 24.

When it is time to begin the actual clampng, the pin 36 registers with the groove 37. Qufiicient clearance is allowed in this groove {ifor the free rotation of the end of the pin This mutilation.-

36 therein, and consequently the edge of the pin 36 and the edge of the groove 37 never come into intimate contact. However, the shoulder of the collar 35 acting against the corresponding shoulder of the worm 29,

which in this position really forms part of the clamp, transmits the pressure to the clamp. The. object of the horizontal groove in the screw 30 is to keep the screw from turning on account of friction from the worm 29 while the clamp is being brought into clamping position. The circular part of this groove makes it possible to turn the screw 30 for the purpose of clamping.

Figs. 1, 2 and 6 show the parts in positions that they assume when the plate clamps have been moved up by the worm and are locked against further rotation of the gear 21 and worm 29 in the same direcproperly. This is now possible because the notches 26 and 34 register as in Fig. 6. But this adjustment brings the plates 33 into th position shown in Fig. 7 which shows a position in which the plate 22 is locked but the plates 33 are still free to rotate for the finer adjustment of a plate clamp. When it is desired to release the worm, the screw 30 is turned until the pins 36 reach the wall of the longitudinal groove 38 when the notches 84 automatically come into registration with the notches 26, as shown in Fig. 6. Then the plate 22 is free and can be rotated.

It will be understood of course that when the-plate 22 is locked by the plates the gears 27 are also locked by the mutllated portions 24 and 28 being in contact with each other. It will be seen, therefore, that the quick moving worm for operating the plate clamps back and forth rapldly 1s effectively and absolutely locked agamst motion of any kind after any adjustment has been made for the purpose of actually clamping the plates. In order to permit the withdrawal of this quick acting part, the clamps all have to be moved back from the plates a certain distance by turning the screws 30, and thereafter all the clamps can be moved back very rapidly, thus saving considerable time.

Although we have illustrated and ,de-

scribed a preferred embodiment of the invention, we are aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, but what we do claim 1. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a series of plate clamps thereon arranged edge to edge around the circumference of the cylinder in pairs, means between the clamps of each pair for simultaneously operating the two clamps of that paircomprising a worm for each clamp, and means concentric with said worms for thereafter adjusting each clamp of a pair independently.

2. The combination with a printing plate cylinder having a. plate clamp, of means for rapidly moving the plate clamp toward or from clamping position, and means concentrically connected with said moving means for securing a finer adjustment of the plate clam in ither direction.

3. The combination with a printing plate cylinder having a plate clamp, of means for moving the plate clamp toward or from clamping position, means for securing a finer adjustment of the plate clamp, and

means for holdin the ad'ustino means osia: h P

tively locked duringthe time when said moving means is in operation and automatically releasing it upon the completlon of the motion of said'moving means.

4. The combination with a printing plate cylinder having a plate clamp, of means for moving the plate clamp toward clamp ng position, means for securing a finer ad ustment of the plate clamp, and means for holding said moving means positively locked during the time when the adjusting means is in operation and automatically releasing it upon the completion of the adjustment.

5. The combination with a printing plate cylinder having a plate clamp, of means for rapidly moving the plate clamp toward or from clamping position, means for securing a finer adjustment of the plate clamp, and means for preventing the operation of each of said means whenever the other is in operation.

6. The combination with'aprinting plate cylinder, of a plate clamp therefor, rotary means for moving the plate clamp toward and from clamping position, means for limiting this movement of the plate clamp to a definite limit, and means rotatable on the same axis for thereafter adjusting the plate clamp farther in the same direction.

7. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plate clamp therefor, of means for moving the plate clamp toward clamping position, means for limiting the operation of the first named means, means for thereafter adjusting the plate clamp farther in the same direction, and means whereby the adjusting means is prevented from operating during the operation of the first named means.

8. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plate clamp therefor, of means for moving the plate clamp toward clamping position, means for limiting the operation of the first named means, means for thereafter adjusting the plate clamp farther in the same direction, and means whereby the first named means is prevented from operating during the operation of the adjusting means.

9. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plate clamp therefor, of means for moving the clamp rapidly up to ascertain position, means for thereafter adjusting the plate clamp, and means controlled by said moving means for rendering said. adjusting means inoperative during said rapid motion of the plate clamp.

10. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plate clamp therefor, of

means for moving the clamp rapidly .up

to a certain position, means which is rendered inoperative during said motion for thereafter adjusting the plate clamp, and means for locking both the moving and the adjusting ineans in their adjusted positions.

11 The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a plurality of plate clamps therefor, means for simultaneously moving said clamps inwardly toward clamping position, means for thereafter individually adjusting each clamp, and means whereby said adjusting means is rendered inoperative by said moving means.

12. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a pair of plate clamps therefor, means for simultaneously moving said clamps inwardly toward clamping position, means for thereafter individually adj usting each clamp, and means operated by the moving means for simultaneously looking both the adjusting means to render them incapable of being operated.

13. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a pair of plate clamps therefor, means for simultaneously moving said clamps inwardly toward clamping position, means for thereafter individually adjustmg each clamp, and means connected with the adjusting means to be operated therewith whereby the moving means can move the plates near to a predetermined position and is then locked a ainst further operation in that direction.

14. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a pair of plate clamps therefor, means for simultaneously moving said clamps inwardly toward clamping position, means for thereafter individually adjusting each clamp, means whereby the moving means can move the plates near to a predetermined position and is then locked against further operation in that direction although free to move in the other direction, and means whereby until the moving means reaches said predetermined position, the several adjusting means will be locked positively against operation.

15. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, and a pair of plate clamps therefor, of a stud located between said clamps, means connected with said stud for advancing both of said clamps to a predetermined position, means for stopping the operation of said means when the clamps have reached said predetermined position, and means for further adjusting each clamp individually.

16. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, and a pair of plate clamps therefor, of a stud located between said clamps, means connected with said stud for advancing both of said clamps to a predetermined position, means for stopping the operation of aid means when the clamps have reached said predetermined position, means for further adjusting each clamp individually, and means for rendering said adjusting means for each clamp inoperative while the moving means is in operation.

17. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, plate clamps therefor, of a rotatable member located substantially between two of said plate clamps, means adapted to be rotated by said member for operating the two clamps between which said means is located, and means for limiting the operation of said clamps and for adjusting each clamp independently thereafter.

18. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a pair of plate clamps therefor, of means located between the clamps for simultaneously advancing both clamps, said means comprising a rotatable mutilated gear, a mutilated gear having means for ad vancing each clamp and meshing with the first named gear, and a screw concentric with each of said last named mutilated gears for adjusting each. plate clamp independently thereof.

19. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plurality of plate clamps therefor, of means for simultaneously ad- 'ancing said clamps, said means comprising a rotatable mutilated gear, a. mutilated gear having means for advancing each clamp and meshing with the first named gear, a screw concentric with each of said last named mutilated gears for adjusting each plate clamp independently thereof, and means whereby said screw is prevented from rotatin while the mutilated gears are in operation.

20. The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plurality of plate clamps therefor, of means for simultaneously advancing said clamps, said means comprising a rotatable mutilated gear, a mutilated gear having means for advancing each clamp and meshing with the first named gear, a screw concentric with each of said last named mutilated gears for adjusting each plate clamp independently thereof, and means whereby said screw is prevented from operation until the mutilated gears come to a position in which they are locked against further rotation, said screws then being capable of turning to further adjust the said plate clamps.

21. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, and a plurality of plate clamps thereon, of a rotatable gear, a circular plate fixed thereon, said gear being mutilated, the plate having a notch in its edge, a worm connected with each of said plate clamps, a gear fixedly mounted with respect to each worm and meshing withthe first named gear and provided with a mutilated portion adapted to fit the mutilated portion of the first named gear to lock it in position, an adjusting screw concentric with each worm. and connected with the plate for adjusting it, said adjusting screw being rotatable independently of the worm. and havin a plate thereon with a notch therein fitting the circumference of the first named plate.

I The combination with a printing plate cylinder and a plurality of plate clamps thereon, of a rotatable gear, a circular plate fixed thereto, the plate having a notch in its edge, a worm connected with each of said plate clamps, a gear fixedly mounted with respect to each worm and meshing with the first named gear, an adjusting screw concentric with each worm and connected with the plate for adjusting it, said adjusting screw being rotatable independently of the Worm and having a plate thereon with a notch therein fitting the circumference of the first named plate, said screw having a longitudinal slot provided with a circumferential slot at the end thereof communicating therewith, and a pin on the plate adapted to enter said slots, said slots being so located that when the worm is operating the pin is in the longitudinal slot and when the mutilated parts of the gears and plates come into registration the pin will register with the circumferential slot to permit the screw to be turned thereafter.

23. The combination with a printing plate cylinder, of a series of plate clamps thereon arranged around the circumference of the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

24. The combination of a printing plate cylinder having a longitudinal ledge and a groove near the end, and a plate clamptherefor having a beveled edge and provided with a lip under said beveled edge in position to pass under the ledge, when in clamping position, and an inner tongue adapted to extend into said groove whereby the beveled edge of the clamp will be held positively against the plate to be clamped.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY A. WISE WOOD. CONRAD NORDFORS.

Witnesses:

BLODWEN ST. J ONES, LILLIAN G. J onns.

Washington, I). 0. 

